The Sunshine Coast Natural History Society conducted their 42nd annual Christmas Bird Count (CBC) on 20th December, covering the area from Port Mellon to West Sechelt. The 30th Pender Harbour count, organized by the Pender Harbour Wildlife Society, covers Middlepoint to Egmont and was on 17th December. Both counts were delayed by one day to avoid stormy weather and consequently were held in clear, calm conditions ideal for a bird count.
The Sunshine Coast count area (Port Mellon to West Sechelt) was covered by 24 participants in 10 separate parties. Helped by the benign weather the count total was exactly 100 species. Only three counts in our 42-year history have exceeded this year’s total of 100 species (1988-101, 2009-105 (highest), 2011-102). An additional six species were observed in the three days before and three days after the count day. The total of 106 species observed during the week gives a good indication of the mid-winter species diversity in our local area.
The “best” species observed, in terms of rarity, were white-winged crossbill (second record on the count and last recorded in 1991) and two birds that were stakeouts in Selma Park, a Bullock’s oriole at Jill Romer’s feeder and a white-throated sparrow at Barbara Lee Fraser’s feeder. The oriole was new to the count and is not to be expected in Canada in the winter. It was voted Bird of the Count.
The species count is only one aspect of the exercise and perhaps even more important is recording the long-term numbers of common species. Numbers go up and down for a host of reasons so the long-term trend is critical. This winter high numbers of red-breasted nuthatches and pine siskins have been reported and the CBC count bore this out in both the lower coast and the Pender area.
The Pender Harbour count participation was 30 people in nine parties and they recorded 82 species. This is in the normal range as 15 of the previous 30 counts have recorded between 80-84 species. An additional seven species were reported for the week, making a total of 89 species. Highlight birds of the Pender count were a Bewick’s wren (last record in 1992) and a spotted sandpiper. High counts were recorded for ring-necked duck (49), red-breasted nuthatch (47) and pine siskin (1322).
To report your sightings or questions, contact tony@whiskeyjacknaturetours.com or 604-885-5539. Good Birding
